OK, so I figured that since I’ve already shared with two sisters today that I had a tantrum this morning, I may as well just blog it. Perhaps it will help someone else out there to avoid one…’cause they sure aren’t pretty. 😦

Just had a tantrum this morning about not getting to do “what I want”…like reading, studying, rambling, blogging…um, I’ll just call it “playing”…

I always seem to have more on my plate than what I can physically do in a day. And somehow I forget that when I just remember to practice contentedness in wherever I’m at, the Lord surprises me with T-I-M-E. Time (like, momentary) where my joy transcends my task, and time (like, extra minutes) where I actually DO get to “play”. How many times have I seen Him do this again, and again, and again? [sigh]

Heard a program this week about “repenting for the lesson of the loaves”. Referring to how the disciples were straining at the oars of their boat during a storm, and how they freaked out when they saw Jesus walking on the water, enter their boat, and calm the winds – JUST AFTER they had witnessed His miracle of feeding the five thousand. (Mark 6:30-52)

Father, forgive me for doubting that you can handle my problems. For fretting about “the details”, because I think I can do Your job. For refusing to see that Your work can be found in EVERY task. For being impatient when I don’t get what I want. For forgetting that YOU KNOW my heart’s desires, and will grant them at the perfect time as I practice walking in obedience to You. It’s amazing to me “what” You can use to encourage me – the listening ears of my husband, and even the words from sisters who simply admit that they have a hard time fitting in “playtime”, too! I pray for all who struggle with contentedness in the mundane tasks. And I pray Your Words: For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV)

A cold front blew through on Friday, and the winds snapped a dead tree onto a section of our fence.

Lol – my 3 goofy boys! 🙂

Fortunately, this break was an easy fix for them. They cut the tree off, and were able to staple the same fence back up. (And they were so quick, that I didn’t make it out to get a “serious” pic of them working, lol!) No broken posts, and no hurt or escaped animals! 🙂

And then Saturday, a vein disintegrated in our milk system’s vacuum pump…

Mike was able to tear the pump apart; however, we aren’t always able to fix everything ourselves. But we sure are grateful for companies who are available to help when we need it!

I don’t think there’s ever a “good time” for anything to break, or to have to seek outside assistance… But as we focused on the blessings, the Lord helped us in the process of the journey:

We got our milking done that morning. BLESSING
We bought that pump used & for over 6 years it has worked perfectly for us. BLESSING
Service was out to us within a few hours. BLESSING
Since we only milk once-a-day, the late cleanup didn’t affect our milking schedule. BLESSING
The day was frigid cold, but Mike had weather appropriate clothes to keep him warm. BLESSING
Mike’s mechanical skills were utilized to reduce the amount of another’s labor. BLESSING

Father, we thank You for minds that can troubleshoot problems, and hands that can fix things. Sometimes they’re ours, and sometimes they’re others, but You coordinate them all to work together to make things right. What a blessing to watch Your handiwork develop! Help us to focus on the blessings in every situation – not dwell on the negatives or unknowns. We acknowledge You are THE FIXER, and pray for strength to submit to Your plan…even in the unexpected & unplanned for hardships. Keep our focus on today, not tomorrow – and that in Your time, answers will come. May we be faithful as we walk. Amen

As with all our animals, he comes with a story, lol. His mama (not the brightest cow on the block) chose to have him at the furthest end of the field in the overgrown briar patch – just like Buttercup had.

Mike carried Xray out of the briars, and expected Gluey to follow him. BUT, she stayed in the briars “looking” for her calf.

Thought maybe she’d come out to eat the hay Mike brought up, but no. Stayed in the briars. Ug. 😦

So, back we went with baby-in-tow. The boys flushed Gluey out of the briars, Mike brought Xray out of the truck, she FINALLY realized where her baby was, and the parade to the barn began. 🙂

Here’s Suezy & Pax, watching the parade. Not too much longer & they should be in their own parade! 🙂

Xray made it almost as far as Winchester did. Then he got a ride down the rest of the way.